Modding your 1-stage DC w/ my baffle

[cgallery]

A recent post at the forum I've dedicated to my separator baffle highlights a neat project.

David Romano modified his Jet DC1200 1-stage DC, adding my baffle. He has some pretty postive comments.

He performed a test where he expected to fill his Wynn filter with some chips but instead found hardly any new dust in his filter at all, the dust was all in the bag.

David's post:
http://www.cgallery.com/smf/index.php?topic=29.0

Main page:
http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm

It really does work. You don't "need" a big cyclone. There is a easier/cheaper/better way to keep your filter cleaner, longer.

[Pappy]

Haven't had the time to read deep so the answer may be there. Has anyone tried to modify your baffle design using 4" fittings and a 55 gal drum? The elements are finally getting to the MDF lid on mine and I am thinking of going with your design on the next one.

[cgallery]

Haven't had the time to read deep so the answer may be there. Has anyone tried to modify your baffle design using 4" fittings and a 55 gal drum? The elements are finally getting to the MDF lid on mine and I am thinking of going with your design on the next one.

It will work great w/ a 55-gallon drum and 4" fittings. Someone DID do a 55-gallon drum and sent me an E-Mail, but no photos.

But I have done 4" fittings on a garbage can and it works great.

[Garasaki]

I wonder when the manufacturer's are gonna get wise to this and start doing it on their OEM products??

[cgallery]

I wonder when the manufacturer's are gonna get wise to this and start doing it on their OEM products??

Three points: (1) I doubt any major manufacturer that could benefit is even aware of the invention. (2) If they were, and were interested in using it, they'd probably wait to see if I'm going to file my patent. I have twelve months from public disclosure (patent is being prepared). (3) I'm guessing that it is pretty difficult to interest manufacturers in making any changes and/or paying any royalties. I guess all I can hope is that one of them is interested in having a competitive advantage enough to pay me a tiny amount per unit shipped.

My grandfather and his brother (not making this up) invented the reclining seat for automobiles. I have a copy of the patent somewhere. The automotive manufacturers at the time waited for the patent to expire rather than pay anything to use it.

[eddy merckx]

I've been mulling over your baffle design for a few days. I can really see how it would improve a single stage collector. I certainly wouldn't mind not having to clean those pleats so often. I do have a few questions though.

Is the baffle made from flat mdf? It looks like it from the photo.

How much does the baffle seem to restrict airflow? In the video, it certainly seemed that the shopvac had limited suction. If it's only a little, it might be cancelled out by allowing a cleaner filter.

Seems like a great idea! I'm anxious to build one and try it out.

Eddy

[cgallery]

I've been mulling over your baffle design for a few days. I can really see how it would improve a single stage collector. I certainly wouldn't mind not having to clean those pleats so often. I do have a few questions though.

Is the baffle made from flat mdf? It looks like it from the photo.

How much does the baffle seem to restrict airflow? In the video, it certainly seemed that the shopvac had limited suction. If it's only a little, it might be cancelled out by allowing a cleaner filter.

Seems like a great idea! I'm anxious to build one and try it out.

Eddy

David said that he wasn't able to "feel" a difference on his. I have modded them previously and wasn't able to tell a difference using some pretty unscientific tests. Whatever difference in airflow due to increased back pressure is probably pretty nominal, BUT, I didn't have an anenometer when I did my first mod and so I can't say for sure.

I'm hoping that someone else that has a single stage that mods their will be able to tell us. I may send David my anenometer so he can test his.

I will say that dust in your pleats drops airflow pretty fast. My gut feeling is that any tradeoff in what may be slightly lower initial airflow will pay for itself by keeping the filter cleaner, longer.

Unfortunately I have limited resources (including real estate) so I can't do all the testing I'd like to.

[JoeyGee]

My grandfather and his brother (not making this up) invented the reclining seat for automobiles. I have a copy of the patent somewhere. The automotive manufacturers at the time waited for the patent to expire rather than pay anything to use it.

I suppose, then, many here and elsewhere owe their very existence to your grandfather and his brother : )

[LinuxRandal]

Three points: (1) I doubt any major manufacturer that could benefit is even aware of the invention. (2) If they were, and were interested in using it, they'd probably wait to see if I'm going to file my patent. I have twelve months from public disclosure (patent is being prepared). (3) I'm guessing that it is pretty difficult to interest manufacturers in making any changes and/or paying any royalties. I guess all I can hope is that one of them is interested in having a competitive advantage enough to pay me a tiny amount per unit shipped.

My grandfather and his brother (not making this up) invented the reclining seat for automobiles. I have a copy of the patent somewhere. The automotive manufacturers at the time waited for the patent to expire rather than pay anything to use it.

Sawstop has been discussed here, as well there are lot's of other examples. I am sure I am not the only one to know about Philo T Farnsworth.

As I have 6' ceilings in the shop, your design, may actually help me to have a useable and improved dust collection. However your baffle in the DC (Jet/HF, etc), seems like the wrong way to go. If one were thinking that way, shouldn't we pull the motor and impellor off the dust collector, and run those to the barrel, and use the filter to the right, with a small dust box, like the bigger cyclones?
If not, I am wondering if there would be any benefit to a baffle in the collector, and a preseperator of your design.

[cgallery]

Sawstop has been discussed here, as well there are lot's of other examples. I am sure I am not the only one to know about Philo T Farnsworth.

As I have 6' ceilings in the shop, your design, may actually help me to have a useable and improved dust collection. However your baffle in the DC (Jet/HF, etc), seems like the wrong way to go. If one were thinking that way, shouldn't we pull the motor and impellor off the dust collector, and run those to the barrel, and use the filter to the right, with a small dust box, like the bigger cyclones?

If not, I am wondering if there would be any benefit to a baffle in the collector, and a preseperator of your design.

By adding my baffle to an exisitng single-stage, you preserve the best part of your DC, which is the ring. DC rings typically have large tangential inputs (in from the blower) and large outlets (directly up to the filter). This is pretty hard to duplicate on a separator lid, and provides minimal back pressure to the blower. Modifying your DC in this fashion creates a sort of cyclone in a push configuration. It works incredibly well. Sure, you have to mess with bags. But your filter stays cleaner longer.

I wouldn't advise adding a baffle to the single stage _and_ and pre-separator can. I think that would reduce CFM too much.

[ironhat]

What is the determination of where the baffle starts in relation to the duct intake (I also have the neutral vane)? Are they aligned with each other? With the vane the actual point of intersection is going to fall about mid point on the baffle - rough estimating here. Is there a rule of thumb for this?

[cgallery]

What is the determination of where the baffle starts in relation to the duct intake (I also have the neutral vane)? Are they aligned with each other? With the vane the actual point of intersection is going to fall about mid point on the baffle - rough estimating here. Is there a rule of thumb for this?

The larger diameter of the baffle is intended to prevent turbulence from hitting debris already in the bag or can. So it should be positioned under the input. Ideally, it should start a little before the incoming airstream.

Having a neutral vane complicates matters a little, as debris in the top portion of the unit (above the baffle) collides with the neutral vane and finds its way up the chimney. So if the neutral vane can be removed, that is what I would do.